Do you need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes, most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. This includes travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States of America and most of Europe.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa

E-Visa

A single-entry e-Visa is available for 80 nationalities for stays of up to 30 days; this includes passport holders from France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA.

The e-Visa costs approximately USD $25. You can apply online for a visa approval letter, which you'll then need to print and take with you (alongside your passport) to be stamped on arrival in Vietnam.

Visit the Vietnam immigration website for more information on e-Visas.

Apply via an embassy or consulate

For stays longer than 30 days, you'll need to complete and print an application form and apply at your nearest Vietnam embassy or consulate. It can take up to three weeks to process and the price varies depending on the specific embassy or consulate. Please check with your embassy or consulate for more information about application requirements.

Visa on arrival

The government of Vietnam has authorised some businesses and travel agencies to arrange pre-approval for a visa on arrival. Please note there have been reports that some websites offering this service are scams. In order to avoid such scams, it’s a good idea to obtain your visa directly online or from an embassy or consulate prior to your arrival.

Most nationalities do not require a letter of invitation to obtain a visa, but if you do need one and you're traveling with us, please contact your Intrepid adventure consultant for more information.

If you're traveling with us and your visa application asks for a point of contact, please write:

Intrepid Vietnam

57A Nguyen Khac Hieu St,

Hanoi, Vietnam

Ph +84 4 3715 0996.

Vietnam visa exemptions

Some nationalities are exempt from obtaining a visa to visit Vietnam for stays of up to 15 days. Travellers from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Italy are exempt. This exemption period is based on meeting all conditions prescribed by Vietnamese laws.

If you're planning on staying in Vietnam longer than 15 days, you'll need to obtain a visa in advance. Please consult your nearest embassy or consulate for more information and to also inquire about requirements if you plan to re-enter Vietnam.


The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain the relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.

Last updated: 31 July 2023

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